Israel-Hamas latest: Middle East on brink of war as IDF strikes hit Syria and Lebanon
Explosions are seen, following Israeli strikes in Gaza City
Reuters
Syrian authorities have claimed that eight of their military personnel have been killed in Israeli air strikes overnight, as the Middle East descends further into war.
They have cited a military source as saying Israeli "aerial aggression" which targeted several positions near the city of Dereaa.
Seven more people have been injured.
A local news outlet posted on Telegraph: "At approximately 1.45 a.m. today, the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting a number of our military points in the Daraa countryside, which led to eight military martyrs and the wounding of seven others, in addition to some material losses."
The IDF has confirmed that it struck army launchers in Syria, targeting army infrastructure and mortar positions.
WATCH NOW: GB News' Mark White discusses the Syria Strike
They said it was in response to Syrian strikes launched towards Israel yesterday.
The attack took place at around 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday, the Syrian state news agency (SANA) reported.
The strikes come amid fears that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could spill into neighbouring countries.
Some Middle Eastern countries are rallying around Hamas.
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Today, the head of Lebanon's Hezbollah met with top leaders of the Palestinian militant factions Hamas and Islamic Jihad, according to a report by Hezbollah's al-Manar TV.
The three militant leaders said that they had assessed what their alliance must do to "achieve a real victory for the resistance" in Gaza.
"The meeting ... assessed the positions taken internationally and what the Axis of Resistance must do", a headline on al-Manar said.
Yesterday, two more Israeli hostages were released by Hamas.
The two hostages were identified as Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, 85.
In a statement on Telegram, Hamas said it had decided to release the two women for "compelling humanitarian" reasons.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had "facilitated" the release of the two captives and transported them out of Gaza on Monday night local time.
Syrians gather during a pro-Palestinian protest to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza
Reuters
Although Israeli officials welcomed the latest hostage release and thanked Egypt and other parties for their help, sources have said the move is part of "delaying tactics by Hamas" designed to play for time and sow division between Israel and its allies.
Meanwhile, Israel is stepping up its counteroffensive efforts.
The IDF has launched its "Iron Sting" weapons system to guide mortar bombs with lasers and GPS inside the Gaza Strip.
A Hamas rocket launcher was destroyed as the IDF stepped up its assaults.
The "Iron Sting" is specifically designed to strike targets in urban areas with 90 per cent accuracy.
Along with the IDF's "Iron Dome" and "Iron Laser", the new technology is being used to destroy enemy targets hidden deep within urban areas ahead of an expected full-scale ground invasion.
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